You won't often catch PC Trevor Cox taking time out for an ice cream cone on Hove beach.

His aim is to put a chill down the spine of anyone who wants to spoil the fun of other citizens on the seafront.

PC Cox is the latest initiative to come from the progressive command team at Hove police station.

Superintendent Graham Cox and his deputy Chief Inspector Stuart Harrison are determined to improve the quality of life for people in Hove.

Their high visibility policing policies have already seen more bobbies out on the beat.

They launched a town centre patrol team of five officers on bikes and next month, police horses are due to return to Hove for the first time in 20 years as part of a two week study before making them permanent.

PC Cox, 47, will patrol Hove seafront between the Lagoon and the Peace Statue from June 1 until the end of the summer.

The father-of-two has more than 22 years in the force and has just returned to Hove after four years at Steyning.

He said: "I definitely won't be sitting on the beach eating ice cream, but I will be getting out and talking to people.

"My brief is to tackle all the things some people do to spoil the enjoyment of the seafront for others.

"I will be dealing with beggars, drunkenness and people riding their bikes on the prom.

"I have spoken to the council and they are determined to crack down on cyclists riding illegally on the seafront.

"Obviously, I will use common sense according to each situation. I am not going to book a child for riding a bike on the prom alongside a pedestrian.

"I won't be looking to stop people having barbecues on the beach either, as long as they behave reasonably and sensibly and don't annoy others with loud music or by getting drunk."

PC Cox will be based at the beachguard station, east of the King Alfred leisure centre.

He will be on patrol during the busiest periods of the summer holidays. Most of his weekends will also be spent making sure that as many people as possible can enjoy the seafront.